Confirmed: R2-D2 to be in New 'Star Wars'

By ZACH SEEMAYER

November 19, 2013

Update: Variety confirms that R2-D2 will appear in Star Wars: Episode VII, and he will be created and controlled by a pair of Star Wars fans -- Lee Towersey and Oliver Steeples, pictured in the tweeted shot from Bad Robot, who are members of the worldwide R2-D2 Builders Club -- that were hired after impressing Lucasfilm head Kathleen Kennedy this past summer in Germany, and had worked on Star Wars-themed commercials in the U.K.

After putting out two Star Trek films, Abrams, 47, is now attempting to make his place in the Star Wars movie franchise. Not only is he directing Episode VII, he's also co-writing it with Lawrence Kasdan, who brings the pedigree of having scripted The Empire Strikes Back and Return Of The Jedi. Former Star Wars actors Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher are reportedly also signed on to be a part of the new film.